Ireland women achieved a historic win over England in a dramatic finale to their ODI series in Belfast. Alana Dalzell secured the victory with a last-ball boundary, overcoming a team hat-trick in Mady Villiers’ final over. The match ended with a crucial misfield by Hollie Armitage at long-on, as she misjudged the ball while looking into the sun, allowing Ireland to clinch their first win over England in 23 years.
Ireland’s chase faced a significant scare when they collapsed, losing five wickets for just 13 runs in the space of 22 balls. Villiers played a key role in this collapse, taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries, including Alice Tector and Jane Maguire, both out for first-ball ducks. Una Raymond-Hoey was also run out, adding to the pressure on Ireland’s batting lineup.
The victory was well-earned, thanks to the earlier efforts of Aimee Maguire and Gaby Lewis. Maguire, who turned 18 just two days prior, took an impressive five-wicket haul, finishing with figures of 5 for 19 in 3.5 overs. Gaby Lewis was the top-scorer for Ireland, smashing 72 from 56 balls. Her dismissal at 137 for 3 marked the beginning of Ireland’s nervous collapse, but the team held firm to claim the win.
The match was initially delayed by rain for four and a half hours, reducing the game to 25 overs, and later to 22 overs after another interruption during England’s innings. Despite the disruptions, Ireland bowled England out for 153 in just 20.5 overs, with Maguire’s spin wreaking havoc on the English lineup. England’s standout player, Tammy Beaumont, scored 52 off 42 balls, but the rest of the team struggled to provide support.
Jane Maguire’s breakthrough came when she dismissed Beaumont, who had just reached her career-fastest fifty in 39 balls. Following this, Aimee Maguire’s killer spell saw Freya Kemp stumped for 3, and other key wickets fell, leaving England in a dire situation. Despite Paige Scholfield being dropped on 16, she was eventually bowled by Maguire for 21, and England’s lower order crumbled.
In response, Gaby Lewis set a strong tempo for Ireland, hitting five boundaries in the powerplay. Aimee Hunter added 18 before falling to Kemp, while Prendergast managed only 11 before being dismissed by Villiers. Lewis’ half-century set Ireland up for the win, but her dismissal left the team with a tricky chase that they ultimately conquered in dramatic fashion.
